Determinants of battery electric cars adoption in urban Kenya: a case of Nairobi City County

Abstract

A Battery electric car (BEC) is a type of electric vehicle that is powered exclusively by an electric motor which draws power from rechargeable packs. Globally, BEC adoption is a strategy that is to be used to address health problems related to emission of poisonous gasses by internal combustion engines (ICE), global warming, and high cost of fossil fuels. Due to the slow adoption of BEC in Kenya, the government launched an e-mobility policy in the year 2024 with the main objective of promoting BEC adoption in Kenya. However, there has been limited research on BEC adoption in Kenya due to the inadequate presence and implementation of BEC frameworks. The study therefore, sought to understand the determinants of BEC adoption in urban Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to examine the influence of consumer awareness on adoption of BEC, to evaluate the effects of charging infrastructure on adoption of BEC, to assess the perception of BEC affordability on adoption of BEC, and to investigate the impacts of government support on adoption of BEC in urban Kenya. The study was guided by diffusion of innovation theory and adopted a mixed method research approach where survey cross sectional design was used. The target population comprised of 136 BEC owners and 18 industry experts. Slovin’s formula was used to calculate the sample size of 101 BEC owners and 18 industry experts. Purposive and convenience sampling technique was employed to obtain the samples. The data collection instruments included questionnaires for BEC owners, interview schedules administered to the industry experts, and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using multiple linear regression analysis. The analyzed data was presented using tables to obtain, frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data were discussed thematically. From the results, regression coefficient β value for consumer awareness was (0.319), this showed that enhancing awareness had a positive effect on promotion of BEC adoption. Charging infrastructure showed a regression coefficient β value of (0.534) indicating that development of more charging infrastructure is useful in promoting adoption of BEC. Results on perception of BEC affordability gave a regression coefficient β value of (0.476) revealing that making BEC affordable enhances BEC adoption. Results on the impacts of government support had a regression coefficient β value of (0.253) revealing that more government support enhances BEC adoption in urban Kenya. Furthermore, regression analysis noted a significant relationship (p < 0.5) between independent variables and dependent variable which supported with the qualitative findings. The study therefore concluded that all the factors under study significantly impacted the adoption of BEC in Kenya and therefore recommended that the government should consider non-fiscal incentives such as public awareness campaigns, BEC education programs, government support of BEC charging infrastructure with regulations and fiscal incentives such as tax exemptions and rebates. This research will provide policymakers, industry participants, and scholars with important insights on the obstacles and prospects associated with Kenya's adoption of Electric Vehicles.